DEBT FORGIVENESS FOR A STUDENT
The federal Student Loan Forgiveness program is understandably popular for the many millions of students carrying debt from their educational loans. Some analysts, however, point out that such forgiveness may encourage financial irresponsibility and that it would tend to discourage those who worked to repay their debt after graduation. But with university costs skyrocketing and the pandemic putting some people out of work, many have fallen behind and feel they can never recover. No matter what may be said about the policy or the program, when a person needs help with any debt, forgiveness is always welcome.
SIN FORGIVENESS FOR A PEOPLE
Today’s passage includes one of the most well-known verses in the Old Testament. The “If my people…” passage is a common rallying cry to call a nation back to God. The benefits of turning the hearts of a people back to God are many, not least of which being forgiveness of sin. The dangers of turning away from the Lord are manifold, as well, and include invasion, conquest, and exile to another land—all of which did happen for God’s people.
Questions
- What do you think about any effort to forgive or cancel financial debt?
- As we enter this new year, who in your life will you decide to forgive?
- What benefits and dangers are there in today’s world for turning toward or away from God?
